Amy Dickinson

Seven days a week, letter after letter, Amy Dickinson applies an objective eye to reader problems large and small in "ASK AMY: Advice for the real world."

Dickinson succeeds the legendary Ann Landers (Eppie Lederer) as the Chicago Tribune's signature advice columnist. Chicago Tribune editor Gerould Kern said: “Amy understands the personal issues affecting millions of people in their everyday lives and offers grounded advice for healthy, lasting relationships. She’s also a terrific storyteller.” As an advice columnist, Amy uses her talents as a journalist and her personal experiences to answer each question with the care and attention she would devote to her closest friends. Her advice is rooted in honesty and trust, traits she applies to her writing and her life.

Before joining the Chicago Tribune, Dickinson (a distant relative of the poet Emily Dickinson) penned a column on family issues for TIME magazine and had been regularly featured on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered." A weekly column, carried on AOL's News Channels, frequently drew from her experience as a single parent and member of a large, extended family. In addition, she has appeared as a social commentator on CBS' "Sunday Morning."

Dickinson, who grew up on a small dairy farm in New York, currently lives in Chicago with her teenage daughter. A graduate of Georgetown University, Dickinson also has worked as a producer for NBC News and as a freelance writer for publications such as The Washington Post, Esquire and O magazine.

DEAR AMY: My brother and his wife of 20 years divorced recently. My son is graduating from high school and we invited this now-divorced aunt to attend. My brother says he's not coming to our party because his ex-wife is.

DEAR AMY: My mother passed away recently, and my sisters and I are planning her "celebration of life" gathering. Mom was a loving and generous woman with seven siblings. What should I say? Please help me find the words.

DEAR AMY: I make no secret that I'm not a fan of kids. Those last two items are causing me trouble. I can usually put on a smile and pretend I'm enjoying myself for a short time, but people often ask two questions I have no idea how to answer.

DEAR AMY: The company I worked for offered an early retirement package. I discussed this with my wife, and we came to the conclusion that this would be OK. She said if I took this early retirement I could help her with her home-based business.

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